How To Work On Clarinet/Sax Reeds Like A Pro!

[anevare]

I've been playing for 24 years, went to college for music performance and this was the most helpful video or instruction I have ever seen for teaching others on breaking in reeds. and I saw it for free on YouTube. I absolutely love your videos!! you obviously know what you are talking about. you're an excellent teacher. thanks for making such good content!

[sbent]

I recently purchased a box of alto sax reeds from a certain, non-eco friendly packaging company, and only 3 of the reeds played reasonably, and I have never had a reed that wasn't good enough for me, from any company. I decided this was the perfect time for me to learn to adjust reeds. Naturally this was the first place I came to look, watched the video, ordered myself the the set from your website and just adjusted my first reed while watching the video, I CANNOT BELIEVE the difference this has made!!!! What have I been missing all these years?! Thank you SO very much for this video and of course the awesome polishing cloth/plaque combo package! Oh, and the Earspasm Music sticker was an AWESOME bonus!

[stormiethedark]

Thank you so much for this video, you are a clarinet god.

[loganowens]

I'm a tuba player but I love your videos so much. I don't get any use out of videos like this but the informative style of your delivery makes these really interesting for me to watch.

[darrenparkes]

I tried you’re technique today and working on four reeds at moment over five minutes a time I the reeds which were lifeless at first exploded into life, what a sound, I had almost given up with squeaking and squealing, very minute sand, then play then went over second time very minute, the reeds exploded into life, I am learning to break the reeds in slowly over the week and see if I have crossed a barrier, but my god the sound was brutally sharp and powerful thank you, thank you I am so appreciated, I’m daz from australia

[TolHorse]

I've been playing clarinet for not quite two months (after playing flute for over 20 years) and adjusted my first reed today; it went great! Drastically improved. Thanks for all your helpful content! (And yes I bought your reed adjustment pack.)

[ernietollar]

I watched this years ago, but am now taking notes on the many highly worthwhile details which I had impatiently glossed over. Great succinct but very nuanced detailing here and great playing also.

[ivanchiam]

Dear Mr. Lowenstein, just wanna say your videos are extremely informative and educational. There needs to be more teachers like you around. Oh, btw, your recital and masterclass in Perth, Western Australia was superb! Sorry, but didn't get a chance to say "hi" to you that night... so here's saying "HI"!

[goprodog]

Take this from a fifty-year-old who started his first wind instrument, the Yamaha Venova: this is THE most useful tutorial I found so far. You can work the rest of the technique by yourself, mostly. This, however, is something you would never work out, imho. Hint: just polishing your reed with a nail polish stick does miracles and it is safer than filing all the parts.

[apistosig]

I've read much and watched lots of similar videos and this video is among the better of them - thanks as always

[markbarnett]

This is SOOO good!!
I tried it; and works!!-
Ordered the Planck and cloths.
What a great presentation!!!
Vandorn Supreme #3 down to
what my ear likes.
Discovery: reeds must be "fitted" to each different great mouthpiece separately.

[StewB]

I've been adjusting my reeds for years using one of those box cutter knives (that you can break off when they get blunt) for scraping. I've given many reeds an extended life even after they've been cracked or chipped at the end as well as those that won't play from the box. I also use a nail clipper to remove the damaged tip which just happens to be the same round shape. The clipper may be too narrow for the bigger reeds, so I clip off the sides to almost the correct angle and finish off the shape with fine sandpaper. However, this causes the reed to become hard and unresponsive, so I must scrape back the reed, including the heart to bring it back into a playable range. Though this treatment may sound unorthodox a bit rough to some, it has ressurected some of my best playing reeds particularly back when times were tough and I've been doing it ever since. Also I've found that some reeds aren't very flat on the flat side (high and low or soft and hard ridges in the grain) and that tends to leak a lot of air, which isn't good and so I gently and evenly scrape that side as well. Scraping the flat side where the ligature holds it, will lift up a reed that closes off, especially those Rico student reeds that stop after 10mins of play. After scraping, they don't start off very well until they settle in but they play a bit longer when they do.
It's nice to actually see what sections of the reed do what and how adjusting them can affect the playing range.
Thank you for making such an informative video... I feel I can now evolve into a slightly higher realm. ;)

[davidlazzi]

Micheal, you have enlightened my life of chalumeau player! Now the 1st register sounds much better and I reach the second much easier and higher. I specify that I use a chalumeau without keys. To be more precise, I use a gauge to determine the free part of the rails. A huge thanks for sharing this video, you are inspiring for your music and your skills.

[rawsaxy]

Very precise and informative. My sax repairman told me about your video. I just wish you would have aimed the camera to the reed as you were sanding and polishing it. Fortunately, you verbally explain it well, but since it is a video, please always show the viewers as you're manually working on something. It would really help a lot. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us!

[livelovelaughMAKUP]

This changed my life I just bought two sets AND the staff sticky notes THANK YOU

[SoldatoLolloso]

A really helpful video! This is the best video on the internet that explain how to work on reeds, I'm gonna share it right away! Thanks :D you're great!

[mgman]

The most helpful explanation and demo I've found. Loved your multi-coloured diagram, starting at 3.20. Really clear and memorable. I've just used it to improve a stuffy tenor sax reed beyond recognition, at the very first attempt! Thank you so much.

[richa]

I was a none believer until I bought and polished my reeds just a little...instantly there was a different feel in the tongue like he said. Then when I played I was playing notes I had trouble with hit it with ease. Deep or high this was my game changer

[FriaGram]

1/4 in thick plate glass works amazing.
You can just cut an old mirror with a carbide cutter and smooth the edges with a diamond bit, duamind file, or diamond paper.

[freebirdofparadise]

I purchased two sets of these, one for myself and another for a friend. Michael ships very quickly! I have been really struggling mostly with the bass clarinet reeds. I think I have 2 favorite reeds out of close to 15 reeds I can’t stand to try to play. I also have quite a few Bb reeds new in boxes that I know are unplayable until I learn how to do this. Great detailed info in this video. If anything, the clear plaque will help me flatten out my moist reed when the tips get a little wavy and it fits in my cases. Great YouTube channel❣️